Monday, February 15, 2016

Thoughts on Psalm 119:26

Jesus said that one of the reasons He wants to answer our prayers is that we may have joy:

Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

I’d like to share a time when God answered a simple prayer of mine. When I graduated from college, I sent out an email inviting my family and friends to come. I was overwhelmed by the response - 40 people planned on coming! Wonderful!

I soon found out that everyone had to have a ticket to attend the graduation ceremony. Okay. Not a big deal. Until I found out that each student was only going to be given 3 tickets. Yikes. All these people were coming from out of town, and I wasn’t even sure I could get them in to see the ceremony! So I looked online - I found some tickets on eBay - two for $50. Uh oh.

A grad student told me, “don’t worry - you’ll get as many as you need at the ticket lottery. No one shows up.” However, when I showed up - the place was packed!

The situation looked impossible. I was facing severe embarrassment, if my family would come from so far, and yet not be able to get into the graduation ceremony.

Yet God answered. The following is taken from my journal:

Wednesday April 9, 2008

Lord Jesus, I have many family members coming from out of town for my graduation / Mother’s Day. I have been really stressed about getting enough tickets, and about where to go to eat on Mother’s Day. Will You please provide us tickets for Saturday, May 10 - at least 40 - and a terrific restaurant for Sunday May 11? I would so much appreciate it. As it is, I now only have 8 tickets. Or more importantly - not so much tickets, but just that everyone can get in to see the graduation - tickets or not!